Clamp

ABSTRACT

Clamping means comprising a pair of opposed gripping jaws adapted to open and close upon a workpiece interposed therebetween. The apparatus includes a pair of clamping arms with a pair of cooperating actuating handle portions in axial extension with said clamping arms and being separated from the clamping arms by a pivoting fulcrum means. Spring bias means are arranged for biasing the jaws to a normally closed disposition. Each of the clamping arms includes a work retaining shoe means, with the arm and shoe means forming a gripping jaw. The shoe means includes a work engaging surface and is provided with means coupling the shoe to the clamping arm. Pivotal mounting means couple the work engaging surface to the shoe means along an axis generally transverse to the elongated axis of the clamping arm, and generally parallel to the pivot axis of the fulcrum means. The shoe means are provided with connecting rod means for securing the shoe means to the clamping arms, the connecting rod means being journaled for axial rotation about the elongated axis of the clamping arms, with said axial rotation being generally transverse to the axis of said pivotal mounting means and said pivoting fulcrum means, thus permitting alignment of the work engaging surfaces relative to the axis of the jaw.

United States Patent [191 Reiter Dec. 18, 1973 CLAMP [76] Inventor: John J. Reiter, 6521 Stevens Ave.,

South, Minneapolis, Minn. 55423 [22] Filed: May 19, 1971 [2l] App]. N0.: 144,819

l2/l957 lraids 24/253 Primary ExaminerFrancis K. Zugel Assistant ExaminerDarrell Marquette Atmrney0rrin M. Haugen [57] ABSTRACT Clamping means comprising a pair of opposed gripping jaws adapted to open and close upon a workpiece interposed therebetween. The apparatus includes a pair of clamping arms with a pair of cooperating actuating handle portions in axial extension with said clamping arms and being separated from the clamping arms by a pivoting fulcrum means. Spring bias means are arranged for biasing the jaws to a normally closed disposition. Each of the clamping arms includes a work retaining shoe means, with the arm and shoe means forming a gripping jaw. The shoe means includes a work engaging surface and is provided with means coupling the shoe to the clamping arm. Pivotal mounting means couple the work engaging surface to the shoe means along an axis generally transverse to the elongated axis of the clamping arm, and generally parallel to the pivot axis of the fulcrum means. The shoe means are provided with connecting rod means for securing the shoe means to the clamping arms, the connecting rod means being journaled for axial rotation about the elongated axis of the clamping arms, with said axial rotation being generally transverse to the axis of said pivotal mounting means and said pivoting fulcrum means, thus permitting alignment of the work engaging surfaces relative to the axis of the jaw.

7 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures iAl t'Nltuuww mm 3.779.108

Sum 1 0F 3 INVENTOR JOHN J. RE/TER ATTORNEY PAIf ggnEclama sum 2 n? 3 l 3,779,108

INVENTOR JOHN J. RE/TEE' ATTORNEY PATENTEDDECI 8|975 3,779,108

INVENTOR JOHN J. RE/TB? ATTORNEY CLAMP BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The clamping apparatus of the present invention provides a pair of opposed gripping jaws which are adapted to open and close upon a workpiece which is interposed therebetween, with the gripping jaws having a pair of work engaging surfaces capable of substantially universal alignment. The apparatus makes it possible to clamp workpieces between opposed surfaces wherein the work engaging surfaces may close upon the work in any of a wide variety of modes. The apparatus provides for motion of the work engaging surfaces about three coordinates of planes, thus making it possible to. receive and clamp therein workpieces surfacing on different planes.

The clamping apparatus of the present invention is particularly adapted to exert constant forces against workpieces, with the workpieces undergoing other operations, such as, for example, glueing or the like. The clamping apparatus will hold and retain workpieces having unusual configurations. [n the past, clamping devices have been utilized for holding and retaining workpieces of various shapes and configurations. Normally, these clamping apparatus are provided with jaws capable of motion about only two coordinates of planes, that is, with the opposed gripping'jaws being adjustably open to any desired extent, and with the work engaging surfaces having pivotal connection to the arms to permit motion in an axis which is generally transverse to the elongated axis of the arms. Such clamping apparatus are limited to workpieces of a substantially parallel-sides configuration, and require clamping in some other manner about compound angles.

The clamping apparatus of the present invention permits clamping about workpieces having compound angles. In other words, the apparatus of the present invention permits motion of the work engaging surfaces about a variety of axes, including axes both parallel and transverse to the axes of the clamping 'arms ln addition, spring bias means areprovided to normally bias the work engaging surfaces along a mutually parallel plane. These various motions are made possible by relatively simple mechanisms, thereby permitting the fabricationof rugged clamping apparatus at reasonable economical levels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide clamping apparatus comprising a pair of opposed gripping jaws, with each gripping jaw having a work engaging surface capable of motion about three mutually perpendicular axes.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved clamping apparatus comprising a pair of opposed gripping jaws with work engaging surfaces capable of motion about three mutually perpendicular axes, and with the work engaging surfaces being normally biased into mutually parallel relationship one to another.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an improved clamping apparatus which comprises a pair of opposed gripping jaws with work engaging surfaces secured thereto, and with resilient biasing means retaining said work engaging surfaces in closedv disposition, one to another.

Other and further objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a study of the following specification, appended claims, and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the clamping apparatus of the present invention in closed disposition;

FIG. 2 is a detailed sectional view taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detail perspective view, partially broken away, showing the connecting rod means which secures the shoe means to the clamping arms of the apparatus, with the joumaling means being illustrated therein;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, and illustrating the disposition of the spring bias means utilized with the shoe means, and illustrating the motion of the shoe means when disposed in the positions illustrated in phantom;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the clamping apparatus shown in FIG. land illustrating the disposition of the jaws when retaininga workpiece 'therebetween; v

FIG. 7 is an end view of the work engaging surfaces disposed in opposed relationship about a workpiece;

FIG. 8 is a detail perspective view, partially broken away, and illustrating the disposition of the work engaging surfaces in contact with a workpiece of unusual configuration;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of a modified form of the apparatus of the present invention, wherein extension means are provided for expanding the opening available between the opposed gripping jaws;

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows 10-10 of FIG. 9 and illustrating the screw-clamp member which allows the pivot-base to be moved and tightened anywhere along the graduated attachment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In accordance with the preferred modification of the present invention, and with particular attention being directed to FIGS. 1-5 of the drawings, the clamping apparatus generally designated 10 includes a pair of opposed gripping jaws shown generally at 1 l and 12, with the opposed gripping jaws being adapted to open and close upon a workpiece interposed therebetween. The clamping apparatus 10 further includes a pair of clamping arms as at 15 and l6,'with the clamping arms being disposed in axial extension with a pair of actuating handles 18 and 19. Pivoting fulcrum means as at 20 separates the clamping arms 15 and 16 and their respective handle portions 18 and 19, with a resilient torsional spring member 22 being utilized to hold or otherwise retain the clamping apparatus in closed disposition.

Each of the arm means 15 and 16 includes a work retaining shoe, such as the shoes 25 and 26, the combination of the shoe means and the arm means forming the gripping jaw. The shoe means 25 and 26 each include a work engaging surface, such as is shown at 28 in FIG. 2. The work engaging surface 28 is preferably fabricated from a resilient material such as rubber or the like, with a rubber of a hardness of about 50 durometer having been found suitable for the purpose. As is further illustrated in FIG. 2, torsion spring member 29 is utilized to hold and retain the shoe 25 in a normal disposition shown by the arrow 30. With attention being directed to both FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen that the shoe 25 is secured to the arm means 15 by a pivotal attachment or the like, including the pivot pin 31 journaled in the tip portion of arm 15. As is apparent in FIG. 1, arm 15 has a bifurcated tip portion for receiving spring 29 therein. As is further illustrated in FIG. 1, pin 31 is journaled within the bifurcated portion of the arm 15, such as is illustrated at 33.

It will be appreciated that pivot pin 31 permits motion of the shoes, such as the shoe 25 about an axis which is generally parallel to the axis of the pivoting fulcurm means shown at 20. It will be further appreciated that shoe means 26 is secured to its corresponding clamping arm 16 in the same fashion as has been discussed in connection with shoe 25. Also, it will be appreciated that pin 31 is disposed perpendicularly to the elongated axis of the clamping arm.

The individual clamping arms are secured to the body of the clamping apparatus, including the handle portions 18 and 19 by means of connecting rods such as are illustrated in detail in FIGS. 1 and 3. These connecting rods, such as the rod 35, are arranged to be journaled within sleeves, as in element 36, with sleeves, like element 36, being, in turn, secured to the surface of handle portion 18. As has been previously indicated, clamping arm 16 is identically fabricated, and thus the description will relate only to one of the two identically formed arms. In order to retain a predetermined axial disposition, a tine means such as the tine 37 is arranged to engage a recessed zone 38 formed in the rod means 35. This tine-detent combination also permits free rotation of the individual clamping arms about the arm axis.

With particular attention being directed to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, it will be appreciated that the individual clamping arms 15 and 16 are resiliently biased to a mutually parallel disposition by toroidal springs such as are shown at 40 and 41. These toroidal springs are wound about the outer periphery of the rods, such as the rod 35, and are provided with stops such as the stops 42 and 43 on handle portion 18, and stops 44 and 4 on handle portion l9fln'operation, these stops limit the motion of the individual spring elements 40 and 41 so as to normally retain the clamping arms and 16 in mutually parallel relationship. Studs 47 and 48 are secured to the individual clamping arms, such as the clamping arm 15 in order to accommodate and provide an abutting surface for the springs such as the springs 40 and 41.

The individual motion permitted by the connecting rod 35 and its associated springs, studs or pins is shown in FIG. 5, wherein the possible motion is shown in the arrows 50 and 51, with the clamping arms being shown in phantom.

The sleeve means, such as the sleeve 36 is provided so as to hold connecting rod 35 in generally parallel axial disposition with the handle 18. As has been indicated, no special or unusual design features are required in the sleeve 36, other than to snugly receive connecting rod 35 in journaled relationship therewith.

It can be seen that the combination ofjournals, pivot pins, and the like permits the work engaging surfaces to be aligned in a variety of planes relative to the axis of the jaw. The motion permitted by the pivoting fulcrum permits motion of the jaws in or along one axis, while the motion provided by pins such as the pin 31 permit motion of the work engaging surface about a second axis which is perpendicular to the first motion axis. Connecting rods such as the connecting rod 35 permit motion in still a third axis, which is mutually perpendicular to each of the first two axes of motion. Thus, substantially universal motion is available and possible in the work engaging surfaces.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 6 of the drawings wherein a workpiece such as the workpiece 60 is disposed between the opposed gripping jaws, and in particular the work engaging surfaces thereof. The workpiece 60 is accommodated in the jaws by virtue of the pivot axis or pin 31, and its corresponding pin 31a on the opposed jaw. The resilient nature of the work engaging surface will, of course, provide for gripping of the work between the jaws. The work engaging surface is shown, as indicated, at 28.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 7 of the drawings wherein still another clamping mode is illustrated. In this view, the individual work engaging surfaces are angularly disposed, one to another, so as to confine the workpiece 61 therebetween. This motion is made possible by the connecting rod means 35, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

With attention now being directed to FIG. 8 of the drawings, it will be seen that the clamping apparatus can retain a workpiece such as the workpiece 62 between the opposed gripping jaws wherein the surfaces are angularly disposed, one to another, in a compound fashion. The combination of the pivoting fulcrum 20, the pins 31 and 31a, along with the connecting rod means 35 and its corresponding connecting rod disposed on arm 16, make this complex clamping disposition possible.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 9 of the drawings wherein a modified form of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the clamping apparatus generally designated is provided with extension brackets 71 and 72 which extend outwardly from the axis of the clamping arms. Such an arrangement makes it possible to interpose larger workpieces between the opposed gripping jaws, with this motion being possible by the sliding clamp shown generally at 73 and 74.

Extension brackets 71 and 72 are arranged to be lockingly engaged with handles 90 and 91 by meansof a baIl-detent combination shown at 71a. The details of clamps 73 and 74 are shown in FIG. 10, with these structures including a base member which provides a bed or the like for the extension 71, and with a shouldered screw-clamping combination providing a means for rigidly securing member 74 to extension 71. In FIG. 10, the shouldered screw is shown at 81, while the clamping portion of the screw-clamping combination is shown at 82. Motion of the screw 81 provides axial movement in clamping member 82, with member 82 having an internal bore formed therein for receiving the shank of screw 81. A threaded bore is formed in the body of member 74 (as well as in member 73), as indicated in phantom in FIG. 9. It will be appreciated that the details of the clamping arms 15 and 16 as shown in FIG. 9 are the same as those shown in FIGS. 1-8, and no further explanation is required for these components.

With the provision of the extensions as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the clamping apparatus of the present invention is rendered more versatile, and useful for larger workpieces. It will be appreciated that the extensions 71 and 72 may be secured to the handles 90 and 91 by any suitable means in addition to those illustrated in the drawings herein.

1 claim:

1. Clamping apparatus comprising a pair of opposed gripping jaws adapted to open and close upon a workpiece interposed therebetween, said clamping apparatus including: i

a. a pair of clamping arms, each arm having an actuating handle portion in axial extension of the clamping arm, a pivoting fulcrum means having a certain first pivot axis coupling said handle portions together for pivotal motion about said first pivot axis;

b. each of said clamping arms having a work retaining shoe means coupled thereto to form a grippingjaw, said shoe means including a work engaging surface and means coupling said shoes to said clamping arms, and mounting means pivotally coupling each of said shoe means to one of said clamping arms along second pivot axes, each of said second pivot axes being disposed generally transverse to the elongated axis of said clamping arms and generally parallel to and spaced from said first pivot axis;

c. each of said clamping arms further including elongated connecting rod means coupling each clamping arm to its associated actuating handle portion, said connecting rod means being journaled for axial rotation about the elongated axis of said clamping arms and generally transverse to said first and second pivot axes for alignment of said shoe means relative to the axis of the said jaws.

2. The clamping apparatus as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that bias means are provided for normally resilient retaining said work engaging surfaces in mutually opposed relationship and along an axis generally transverse to said first pivot axis.

3. The clamping apparatus as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that spring bias means are provided for biasing said gripping jaws to a normally closed disposition,

4. The clamping apparatus as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that bias means are provided for normally resiliently biasing each of said shoe means in a direction with the outer tip edges thereof being urged in an arcuate direction inwardly of and away from the axis of the clamping arm to which it is attached and toward the opposed shoe means.

5. The clamping apparatus as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said work engaging surfaces are resilient pads.

6. Clamping apparatus comprising a pair of opposed gripping jaws adapted to open and close upon a workpiece interposed therebetween, said clamping apparatus including:

a. a pair of clamping arms, each arm having an actuating handle portion in axial extension of the clamping arm, a pivoting fulcrum means having a certain first-pivot axis coupling said handle portions together for pivotal motion about said first pivot axis;

b. each of said clamping arms having a work retaining shoe means coupled thereto to form a gripping jaw, said shoe means including a work engaging surface and means coupling said shoes to said clamping arms, and mounting means pivotally coupling each of said shoe means to one of said clamping arms along second pivot axes, each of said second pivot axes being disposed generally transverse to the elongated axis of said clamping arms and generally parallel to and spaced from said first pivot axis;

c. each of said clamping arms further including connecting rod means coupling each clamping arm to its associated actuating handle portion, said connecting rod means being journaled for axial rotation about the elongated axis of said clamping arms and generally transverse to said first and second pivot axes for alignment of said shoe means relative to the axis of the said jaws; and

d. extension means being coupled to and extending laterally outwardly from said handle portions, said extension means providing for adjustable mounting of said clamping arms to said extension means at points disposed laterally outwardly from the axis of said handle portions.

7. The clamping apparatus as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that the proximate end of said elongated connecting rod is provided with a detent zone adjacent the tip thereof, and wherein detent engaging means are coupled to the distal end portions of each of said actuating handle portions for releasablyretainingsaid connecting rod means. 

1. Clamping apparatus comprising a pair of opposed gripping jaws adapted to open and close upon a workpiece interposed therebetween, said clamping apparatus including: a. a pair of clamping arms, each arm having an actuating handle portion in axial extension of the clamping arm, a pivoting fulcrum means having a certain first pivot axis coupling said handle portions together for pivotal motion about said first pivot axis; b. each of said clamping arms having a work retaining shoe means coupled thereto to form a gripping jaw, said shoe means including a work engaging surface and means coupling said shoes to said clamPing arms, and mounting means pivotally coupling each of said shoe means to one of said clamping arms along second pivot axes, each of said second pivot axes being disposed generally transverse to the elongated axis of said clamping arms and generally parallel to and spaced from said first pivot axis; c. each of said clamping arms further including elongated connecting rod means coupling each clamping arm to its associated actuating handle portion, said connecting rod means being journaled for axial rotation about the elongated axis of said clamping arms and generally transverse to said first and second pivot axes for alignment of said shoe means relative to the axis of the said jaws.
 2. The clamping apparatus as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that bias means are provided for normally resilient retaining said work engaging surfaces in mutually opposed relationship and along an axis generally transverse to said first pivot axis.
 3. The clamping apparatus as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that spring bias means are provided for biasing said gripping jaws to a normally closed disposition.
 4. The clamping apparatus as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that bias means are provided for normally resiliently biasing each of said shoe means in a direction with the outer tip edges thereof being urged in an arcuate direction inwardly of and away from the axis of the clamping arm to which it is attached and toward the opposed shoe means.
 5. The clamping apparatus as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said work engaging surfaces are resilient pads.
 6. Clamping apparatus comprising a pair of opposed gripping jaws adapted to open and close upon a workpiece interposed therebetween, said clamping apparatus including: a. a pair of clamping arms, each arm having an actuating handle portion in axial extension of the clamping arm, a pivoting fulcrum means having a certain first pivot axis coupling said handle portions together for pivotal motion about said first pivot axis; b. each of said clamping arms having a work retaining shoe means coupled thereto to form a gripping jaw, said shoe means including a work engaging surface and means coupling said shoes to said clamping arms, and mounting means pivotally coupling each of said shoe means to one of said clamping arms along second pivot axes, each of said second pivot axes being disposed generally transverse to the elongated axis of said clamping arms and generally parallel to and spaced from said first pivot axis; c. each of said clamping arms further including connecting rod means coupling each clamping arm to its associated actuating handle portion, said connecting rod means being journaled for axial rotation about the elongated axis of said clamping arms and generally transverse to said first and second pivot axes for alignment of said shoe means relative to the axis of the said jaws; and d. extension means being coupled to and extending laterally outwardly from said handle portions, said extension means providing for adjustable mounting of said clamping arms to said extension means at points disposed laterally outwardly from the axis of said handle portions.
 7. The clamping apparatus as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that the proximate end of said elongated connecting rod is provided with a detent zone adjacent the tip thereof, and wherein detent engaging means are coupled to the distal end portions of each of said actuating handle portions for releasably retaining said connecting rod means. 